Karen Restivo
In Other Words....
It’s Halloween week.
Merchandise already hit the stores a couple of months ago and plenty of ‘fight or flight’ fright movies (say that three times quickly), settle into our psyche the minute the sun goes down and the lights go out.
I’m already triggered by these previous sentences.
Emotional health systems are finally at the forefront of medicine, thanks in part to Covid 19.
Mental health issues were previously around, but sadly filed away under miscellaneous, at the back of the file cabinet because no one wanted to admit to having a crazy “Aunt Harriet” gene.
It’s out in the open now; we all suffer from mental health issues.
Though medication has been effective in dealing with symptoms of stress, anxiety, and trauma, coping skills are instrumental in practical instances where individuals can maneuver their way through mine fields to minimize triggering effects.
etter yet, wouldn’t it be great to have knowledge of coping skills in the event we encounter someone experiencing triggering symptoms?
In an article by University of North Carolina’s Campus Health titled “Understanding Mental Health Triggers,” their focus was on: “Understanding, identifying, and working to prevent triggers can be empowering and effective, especially in comparison to supporting someone after they have been triggered.”
Adapted from NAMI Blog by Kathrine Ponte, Campus Health highlights the following Types of Triggers and Responses:
External triggers - Think senses - sounds, sights, smells that elicit responses based on past experiences.
Example: Smelling the cologne that was worn by a loved one who has passed away can trigger grief.
Internal triggers - Strong feelings that arise based on past experiences.
Example: Making a doctor’s appointment after a negative medical experience can trigger fear.
Trauma triggers - Strong feelings that arise based on past trauma.
Example: The sound of firecrackers can be trauma triggers for veterans of war.
Symptom triggers - A physical change can trigger larger mental health issues.
Example: A lack of sleep could trigger symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Ways to Help Someone Who Gets Triggered:
Be curious. Learn to engage in difficult situations with a focus on maintaining a positive relationship.
Learn what is triggering and try to avoid causing pain.
Be empathetic and listen without judgment.
Be a safe space for those around you.
Avoid taking another’s behavior personally nor making negative judgments about someone’s feelings or behaviors.
Maintain good boundaries.
Boundaries help everyone be clear on expectations, which adds security and predictability.
Help with coping.
Ask about strategies that work for the person to relax and take care of themselves.
Use trigger warnings if you develop content.
Providing a warning before potentially triggering content provides time for people to prepare or, if needed, to opt-out of challenging or emotional materials.
In other words, stress, anxiety and trauma triggers are symptomatic of the world we live in.
Keep these coping skills in your toolbox for future reference.
Don’t be fooled that Halloween is the only potentially triggering event; Thanksgiving Dinner at crazy Aunt Harriet’s house is just around the corner. Karenrestivo57@gmail.com